This is a Kalimar 3D camera which was made for creating lenticular 3D photographs. The photo printers that made the lenticular prints are long gone, but you can make some interesting animated GIFs with the 3 images.

I've been wanting to experiment with pinhole cameras. For my first camera, I thought I would make a traditional shoebox pinhole camera using paper negatives, but I was unable to find a simple shoe box that would do. I decided to try making a camera with what I had on hand. I found a cashew can that looked like it might make a good camera.

The pinhole was made on .002" brass shim stock I picked up at my local hardware store. Instead of painting the tin black inside, I happened to have some heavy black paper stock on hand. It was cut down, fitted and taped to the inside and lid of the can.

I made the pinhole using a #10 beading needle that I picked up a bead store. It measures out to be .019" as measured with a micrometer. I'm not sure if that is the appropriate size for my can, but I decided for my first experiment, I wouldn't worry about it.

With the black paper in the lid and the wide lip, which was also covered with black masking tape, I am hopeful I can get away with not having to tape up the lid, but I will have to test the camera for light tightness.

The can will take a paper negative, 2x8inches. I need to test the pinhole size by making some test exposures, but unfortunately, the weather forecast expects it to be raining all week, so that will have to wait until we get some sun. I could make some exposures in the overcast, but I would rather wait until it is sunny, when it would be quicker to make consecutive test exposures to nail down the correct exposure.

]]>http://www.dianacamera.com/blog/rss-comments-entry-35060670.xmlThrift Store Find: Holga 120N (modified with rewind knob for 35mm film)kaiyTue, 19 Aug 2014 02:15:00 +0000http://www.dianacamera.com/blog/thrift-store-find-holga-120n-modified-with-rewind-knob-for-3.html355431:4729948:34972777I found this modified Holga 120N at a thrift store. I was suprised to see an extra knob on the bottom of the camera when I picked it up. It is a rewind knob from another Holga that has been mounted to the bottom of the camera to rewind the 35mm film without having to go into a darkroom, or put the camera in a film changing bag. The blue tape was on the camera when I found it. The counter window has been blocked out and the winder knob has some markings to help the shooter figure out how far to wind. A bit of sponge in the film compartment keeps the 35mm cassette in position.

I don't know who did the original mod, but it is cleanly and elegantly done. I may have to try doing this mod myself.

I went shooting with the Petzval lens last weekend and have 1 roll of film processed, but I feel I need a little more time to learn how to make best use of it's unique features. Using a lens of such an old design is a learning experience in of itself! I will post photos as soon as I can.

I funded the Lomography Petzval Lens through Kickstarter last summer and received the lens last week. I wanted to go out and shoot with the lens mounted on a Nikon FM2 and digital Nikon D5100. I discovered that there is much to learn when using a old style lens. I need to learn more about shooting the uncoupled lens with the digital camera before I try it again. I was unable to make that combination work, so the lens was mounted to an FM2 and loaded with roll of 35mm Ektar film (100 ISO) for my first outing. I have no doubt that I will be able to use the lens with my digital SLR, but a little research and practice is needed before I take that combo out for my next test shoot.

The lens is beautifully made and a pleasure to hold when mounted on the Nikon F or FM2. I find it amusing that it is harder to use this lens with the more advanced digital camera.

I will post my results and thoughts about my first rolls of film and the lens performance later, when I've had a chance to process and examine my film.

I took my Nikon S2 with me on a walk down to Gasworks Park. Shooting with this camera is a slow, deliberate process. There is no onboard light meter, so I need to stop and take a reading from an external meter. Then set the camera exposure and then manually focus. The feel of the mechanical shutter tripping and the pull of the manual film advance is a tactile pleasure. It embodies many of the things I like about shooting with film cameras.

I just purchased a Russian made Jupiter 12 35mm lens for it. From the research I did on this lens, while not a perfect fit, it should work with this camera.